Tiki vibes, real wine, serious Wednesday deals
Lighthouse District · Monterey · California/Hawaiian, Polynesian-inspired · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Hula's Island Grill’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
You walk into a tiki bar expecting Mai Tais and a laminated beer list, and instead you find a 20-bottle-plus wine program with German Riesling, Willamette Valley Pinot, and a sparkling rosé from Maui. That alone earns a second look. The list isn't trying to be a wine bar — it's trying to be useful — and mostly it succeeds.
The range here punches above its casual-island-grill weight class. California anchors the list smartly — Tyler and Chamisal represent the serious end of the Chardonnay section, while Argyle's Bloom House Pinot brings legitimate Willamette Valley credibility to the reds. There are smart international picks sprinkled in: Selbach's 'Ahi' Riesling from the Mosel is a great call for a seafood-heavy menu, and Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough fits the coastal energy perfectly. The weak spots are real — Barefoot in 1.5L bottles and Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve feel like placeholder stock, and they drag down what is otherwise a thoughtful-enough collection.
Seventeen by-the-glass options is a genuinely impressive number for this format, and the range covers sparkling, whites, rosé, and reds without feeling scatter-shot. Prices run $11–$20 a glass, which is honest for Monterey. Wednesday's Wine Down half-off bottle deal is where this program really shines — show up midweek and you're suddenly drinking Tyler Chardonnay at a price that makes the whole dinner feel like a win.
Selbach 'Ahi' Riesling (Mosel, Germany) — $11–$14/glass (estimated)
A Mosel Riesling named 'Ahi' at a Hawaiian grill is either a happy accident or a stroke of genius — either way, it's the smartest pour on the list for a fish taco or anything coming off the kitchen with heat or citrus. Selbach makes honest, affordable Riesling and this one earns every dollar.
Argyle 'Bloom House' Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Most people at a tiki grill are ordering Cab or the house red. Skip all of that and go here. Argyle is a legitimate Willamette producer and the Bloom House bottling is real wine at a price point that doesn't require a conversation with your accountant.
Rombauer Chardonnay (Carneros, California)
Rombauer is fine — it's also everywhere, it's expensive, and it's the wine equivalent of ordering the same thing you always get. In a list that includes Tyler and Chamisal, paying the Rombauer premium here is just habit, not a choice.
Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand) + Fish Tacos
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was basically engineered for this moment. The grapefruit and green herb notes cut through any fish richness, play well with lime crema and slaw, and the bright acidity resets your palate between bites. This is the move.
Wednesday — Wine Down Wednesday — half off bottles of wine. Specialty or reserve bottles may be excluded. Happy Hour also features $8 house wines by the glass.
The Bottom Line
Hula's is a legit Wild Card — a tiki-themed island grill in Monterey that actually thought about its wine list, keeps prices fair, and runs a Wednesday half-off bottle deal that changes the math entirely. It's not destination wine drinking, but it's a lot better than it has any right to be.
Pacific Grove · Monterey · Sustainable Seafood / Californian
Wild Fish isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the list punches thoughtfully above its weight with genuine regional focus and fair pricing. If you're eating here — and you should be — drink local and let the terroir match the catch.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Pacific Grove · Monterey · Seafood-focused California/American
The Beach House at Lover's Point is a reliable coastal wine stop — not a destination for wine lovers, but a perfectly decent list for a date-night dinner with a sunset backdrop. Don't come chasing cellar depth; do come ready to drink local and enjoy the view.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Pebble Beach · Monterey · Steakhouse / American Tavern
The Tap Room is a reliable resort wine list — not inspiring, not embarrassing, and marked up like the real estate it sits on. If you're at Pebble Beach anyway, the list does the job; just go in with eyes open and budget accordingly.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Pebble Beach · Monterey · Seafood-focused California cuisine
Stillwater earns its reputation on setting and execution, and the wine list is professionally managed with real producers and proper care — but the pricing reflects the zip code more than it reflects generosity. Go in with eyes open, lean local, and let the view do the rest.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Pebble Beach · Monterey · Italian
Pèppoli is the real deal for Italian wine in a resort setting — deep list, knowledgeable staff, and an Antinori-anchored program that takes the Italian canon seriously. Just go in knowing that Pebble Beach prices apply across the board, and steer toward the mid-tier bottles where the value actually lives.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Pebble Beach · Monterey · Hawaiian Fusion
Roy's at Pebble Beach is a dependable wine list in a stunning setting — competently assembled, a little overpriced for what you get, and unlikely to surprise you. Order smarter than the tourists at the next table and you'll drink well here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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